Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1887-02-04

mere, but public sentiment is so strong
ly opposed to their execution that there
has been but one occasion for appeal
ing to the pardoning power in recent
years. Under the Louisiana laws ju
ry, in case involving life. can bring
in either simple verdict of guilty"
or one guilty without capital punish
ment"
No woman has ever been hanged in
Missouri. A few have received the
death-sentence, but the governor or the
supreme court has always interfered in
time to prevent the execution.
GEORGIA.
AS matter of fact. the first person
ever hanged in the state of Georgia was
woman. The details of the crime and
the history of the case have been lost,
and all that remains is the oak tree up
on which she had been hanged in 1891,
and that her name was Polly. 1t was
not until 1872 that the question of hang
ing woman became state matter
In the April of that year the neighbors
OF John Spann, of Webster county, no.
ticing that the house remained closed
all day, burst open the door and found
Mrs. Span strangled TO death, with
marks of uncomfortable tortures upon
her body. Her husband was missing
as well as young and pretty girl. who
had been living in the family, named
Susan Eberhardt. After six days pur-
suit with bloodhounds the pair were
found together in Heard county, on the
Alabama line. The story developed was
that Spann had formed relations with
the girl On the night of the murder
Mrs. Spann discovered the intimacy
and the enraged husband pushed her
back in her bed, having firm grip on
her throat while Miss Eberhardt, at
his command, handed him a pillow
slip, which he rammed down his wifes
throat until she was dead. The pair
were put on trial, convicted and sem
fenced to be hanged. Sentence was at
at once executed upon Spann. but the
case of Susan Eberhardt became a mat
ter of state concern.
When the day of execution arrived
the officers postponed action until the
last minute, expecting even then re-
prieve. As Susan stood with the black
cap on her head men were sent up the
road to catch a glimpse, if possible, Of
the expected messenger with a reprieve,
and to wave back. if seen, the signal of
rescue. But no relief came and the de-
Iuded woman paid the penalty of her
crime. To this day Governor Smiths
action is held up against him.
As consequence of this agitation
he public mind was prepared to take
prompt action in 1873, when the news
IF Kate Sothern's crime was made pub
ic. The public determination was that
he should not hang, and she did not.
Since that time it has been impossible
o convict a woman of murder in Geor-
ria.
INDIANA.
Not one has ever been hanged in the
state. or has any been sentenced to
eath.
MAINE.
No woman has ever been hanged,
Though Mrs. Barrows, of Kittery, is
ow under sentence of death, and great
xertions are being made in her behalf
he has reprieve until next August.
IOWA.
There is no case on record in Iowa
4 which a woman has been sentenced
D death.
DELAWARE.
There never was a woman hanged in
delaware. No woman was ever con-
icted in Delaware where the penalty
'as death. hence there never was any I
ccasion for Executive clemency in such
Asses.
WISCONSIN. '
The laws Of Wisconsin do not per-
lit the hanging of murderers. Sever )
women have been convicted of muir \
er since the present law has been in
Iistence. and have been treated same il
men, being sentenced TO imprson- !
ent for life when convicted of murder r.
the first degree. a
NEBRASKA. "
The State of Nebraska provides for a
Ipital punishment, making no distinc- $,
)n in sex, but no woman has ever tC
zen hung in the State bl
MINNESOTA.
There has been only one woman a
Inged in Minnesota since its organi- pi
ton as Territory. IL Il,
VERMONT. w
No woman convicted of murder ever .,
d her sentence interfered with by FIR
o Governor of Vermont. GO GO
NORTH CAROLINA. 10
At least three women convicted of dc dc
rider have been hanged since the -
Ir in the State of North Carolina, and 80
ere have been two cases in which tr,